NHL Central Scouting has Newfoundland's Alex Newhook 16th among North American skaters

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Published: Jan 21 at 10:41 p.m.

Updated: Jan 21 at 10:51 p.m.

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Team Canada West forward Alex Newhook (right) is shown in preliminary-round action against the Czech Republic at the 2018 World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Bonnyville, Alta., last month. Central Scouting rates Newhook 16th among North American skaters for the NHL Entry Draft this June. — Matthew Murnaghan/Hockey Canada Images

NHL Central Scouting has released its mid-season rankings for the 2019 National Hockey League Entry Draft and it shows St. John’s native Alex Newhook ranked 16th among North Americans skaters (forwards and defenceman).

Newhook, who turns 18 on Monday, is the leading scorer in the British Columbia Hockey League, with 70 points (including 25 goals) in 40 games for the Victoria Grizzlies. The five-foot-11, 190-pound centre is also the top-ranked player in Canadian junior A hockey on the Central Scouting list.

Newhook, who is the Grizzlies’ captain and skated for Team Canada West at the most World Junior A Challenge, is committed to playing for Boston College next season.

Another centre from St. John’s, Brett Budgell of the Quebec Major Hockey League Charlottetown Islanders, is also ranked by Central Scouting. The six-foot, 190 Budgell is slotted 105th on the North Americans skaters listed.

Budgell, who turns 18 in June, has 15 goals and 11 assists in 43 QMJHL games this season